Construction of union-casks used in brewing operations.



No. 690,240. Patented Dan. 3!, I901.

W CUTLER. I CONSTRUCTION OF UNION CASKS USED lN-BREWING OPERATIONS.

(Application filed June 5, 1899.)

3 Sheets-Shea! I.

(No Model.)

- No. 690,240. Patented Dec.'3l, I90l.

- W. CUTLER.

CONSTRUCTION OF UNION GASKS USED IN BREWING OPERATIONS.

(Application filed June 5, 1899.) (No Model.) 3 Sheets$heet 2. v

Wzi'neiseg No. 690,240. Patented Dec. 3|, I90l.

w. CUTLER.

OONSTRUCTION'OF UNION OASKS USED IN BREWING OPERATIONS.

(Application filed June 5, 1899.)

3 Sheets-Shoot 3.

(No Model.)

FIG 5.

Masses Inner,

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UNITED STATES PATENT 'OEEICE.

WILLIAM CUTLER, OF BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND.

CONSTRUCTION OF UNION-CASKS USED IN BREWING OPERATIONS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 690,240, datedDecember 31, 1901.

Application filed June 5, 1899. Serial No. 719,477. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM CUTLER, mauufacturer, a subject of the Queenof Great Britain, residing at Cannon Works, Constitution Hill,Birmingham, England, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin the Construction of Union-Casks Used in Brewing Operations, of whichthe following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to effect improvements in the constructionof union or fermenting casks used in brewing operations. Theseunion-casks are used in the brewing trade for what is called the closedsystem-that is, the wort after being boiled is cooled and is then putinto these union-casks, which are of substantially barrel form, to workor ferment, and all the barm passes through the bung-holes and up pipescalled swannecks, and then into harm-troughs. Union-casks are only usedfor one purpose that is, for fermenting ale, beer, or stout.

The invention consists in constructingsuch casks of glass plates heldtogether in the desired form by a framework of wood, metal, or othersuitable material.

In order that my said invention may be particularly described andascertained, reference is hereby made to the accompanying drawings, inwhich similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a fermenting or union cask formed ofglass plates in a framework of metal. Fig. 2 is a transverse section.Fig. 3 is a section on the line 1 2 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a plan view ofa portion of one of the ribs of the frame, illustrating a method ofattaching the same to the end frames. Fig. 5 is an elevation of an endframe of a cask constructed not to revolve.

The framework is made up of a number of ribs a and end frames 1), thelatter being preferably cast in one piece, the whole of the frameworkbeing preferably of galvanized cast-iron. The end frames may carryspindles c, which may be made hollow to communicate withthe interior ofthe cask, by which the cask may rotate in bearings mounted on a suitableframe or support, or they are fixed to cross-beams 71:, Fig. 5, byplates Z and bolts, as shown, as practiced in washing or cleansing thecask. Plates of glass cl (1 are fitted to the ribs and end frames andare held in place by means of' cement, which also renders the jointfluid-tight. Preferably the end plates of glass d are arranged tosupport the side plates 61, as shown in- Fig. 3, e representingthecement. If the glass used has an uneven surface, I prefer to bed theglass in a hard cement to form an even bearing for the glass and renderthe joint fluid-tight after the bed has set. The cement is located ingrooves or rabbets, as shown in Fig. 3.

The ribs a are formed of a section approximately as shown in Fig. 2 (therabbets and cement being omit-ted) and are bolted to the end frames inany suitable manner, one method being shown in Fig. 4. Each corner ofthe end frame is formed with a pair of lugs ff, and similar lugs g g areformed on the ends of the ribs. Bolts h h serve to fix the ribs to theend frames. Similarly I provide plates 2', which fit between the lugs fand serve to fix the glass firmly. The plates 71 are also grooved toreceive cement and are bolted to the end frames.

The end frames 19 may be formed with an openingm, Fig. 5, to allow ofthe introduction of-a mans arm with a hose-pipe or a brush, whereby theinterior may be thoroughly cleansed, the opening being normally closedby'a suitable plug. I

It will thus be seen that the interior of the cask is completely linedwith glass, no metal being exposed to the liquors. By these meansincreased durability and freedom from acidity are secured, and there isno danger of sediment or dirt being overlooked, as is the case whenordinary wooden unions are used.

The usual union-cask is made revoluble in order to thoroughlycleanse itsinterior, boiling water having to be employed. Also it is necessary tocarefully inspect the interior, and when not in use the oasks have to besubmitted to sulfur-vapor every few days in order to keep them sweet. Myimproved unioncask is made revoluble to conform to the requirements ofcertain brewers and fixed to suitotherbrewerstastes. Thereis absolutelyno real necessity for revolving it, by reason of its naturalcleanliness. It isnot necessary to use boiling water, as cold water willsuffice .to remove every trace of stale wort from the the glass, andonce cleansed the cask is not liableto sourness or other defectsinherent in the wooden casks, and consequently saves the sulfur-burning.

I claim 4 1. In a cask for brewing or other purposes, the combination ofend frames, lugs at inter vals along said end frames, longitudinal ribs,lugs arranged at the ends of said ribs and connected to thefirst-referred-to lugs, and fill ing-in panels for the spaces withinsaid end frames and between said ribs, substantially as set forth.

2. In a union-cask for brewing purposes,the combination of glass platesforming the surface or sides and ends of the cask, a pair of end framesprovided with spindles, a number of ribs attached to and connecting suchend frames, and cement for fixing the glass plates and rendering thejoints fluid-tight, substantially as set forth.

3. In a union-cask. forbrewingpurposes,the combination of a pair of endframes, a number of ribs connected to the end frames so as to form aframework, a pair of lugs at each corner of the end frames, a pair oflugs at each end of each rib coinciding with the lugs on the end framesand fixed thereto by bolts and nuts, a plate between each pair ofendframe lugs, a number of glass plates of the desired shape, and cementfor fixing and rendering the join ts fluid-tight, substantially asspecified.

4;. In a cask of the character described, the combination of end frames,lugs at intervals along said end frames, longitudinal ribs, lugsarranged at the ends of said ribs and connected to the first-referred-tolugs,a plate between each pair of end-frame lugs, and filling-in panelsfor the spaces between said ribs and within said end frames,substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM CUTLER.

V itnesses E. HARPER, GRAHAM T. Cox.

